The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has outlined the country’s strategy to attract global investment and forge international partnerships by showcasing its digital and ICT capabilities at the ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The expo, which runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on the theme: “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives,” will present a key opportunity for the country to highlight its growing digital ecosystem and position itself as a hub of innovation in Africa.

Speaking at the media launch held in Accra last Friday, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the event offered the country a transformative platform to exhibit its ICT sector and unlock its immense potential on the global stage.

He further stated that the nation’s presence would focus on highlighting innovative products and services from the private sector, ranging from fintech and e-governance to digital health and smart solutions—advancements that were already creating jobs and improving lives.

“By partnering with private sector ICT organisations, we aim to open doors for meaningful partnerships, attract investment, and build bridges with Japanese businesses,” he said, stressing the importance of the government’s collaboration with private ICT firms in the country.

Ghana’s participation, he added, would include a major exhibition of ICT projects and services, an ICT Business Forum to engage industry leaders on sector opportunities and challenges, and business-to-business (B2B) sessions connecting Ghanaian institutions with their Japanese counterparts.

The World Expo, also known as the World’s Fair, is a major international event held every five years that brings together countries from across the world to showcase their technological innovations, cultural identities and forward-looking ideas.

Organised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), each expo runs for up to six months and revolves around a central theme addressing global challenges such as sustainability, technology or human development.

A hallmark of the event is the display of national pavilions—architectural and interactive spaces where participating countries present exhibitions that reflect their contributions to the theme.

More than just an exhibition, the World Expo fosters dialogue, collaboration and unity among nations in pursuit of a better future.

MoU, Ghana Day

Beyond the expo, the ministry is also working to deepen collaboration with the Japanese government.

Mr George revealed plans to explore a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese institutions, focusing on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, capacity-building and technology transfer.

“We look forward to leveraging Japan’s expertise to strengthen our ICT ecosystem from expanding broadband access to training our youth in emerging technologies such as AI and coding,” he said.

Furthermore, a highlight of the Expo will be “Ghana Day”, set for September 11, 2025, where the country will celebrate its digital progress which would be attended by Mr George at the helm of a delegation comprising officials from the ministry and private sector partners to Osaka.

He called on both local and international stakeholders to support the initiative and urged the media to amplify the message and rally public enthusiasm.

“Together, we will showcase Ghana’s ICT potential, forge lasting partnerships and design a future society that benefits us all,” he said.

Open to business

The Deputy Japanese Ambassador, Naoki Mitori, praised the longstanding friendship between Japan and Ghana, describing it as one of the strongest ties Japan shares with any African country.

He emphasised Japan’s openness to increased investment and business collaboration with the country, especially in ICT, as vital to supporting the government’s 24-hour Economy agenda.

Mr Mitori touched on upcoming side events such as the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August, and Ghana Day, and how the platforms will deepen bilateral cooperation and foster high-level engagement.

He also acknowledged Ghana’s global recognition in Japan, citing Dr Hideyo Noguchi’s legacy and the popularity of Ghana’s chocolate as symbols of the bond between the two nations.